Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER X. RENEE, DUCHESS OF FERRARA. IN the times when the Reformation was making its way into the various countries of Europe, France was highly favoured that she possessed daughters of such intrinsic worth as Marguerite of Valois, who handed on her mission to her daughter, Jeanne d'Albret, also Queen of Navarre, and whose son became the famous Henry IV. of France. She was one of the great protectors of Protestantism, and following the example of her noble mother, she opened schools, colleges, and hospitals, and so productive of prosperity was her firm administration, that it is recorded, "Soon there was not a beggar in Beam." The circle of goodness, like that of evil, is ever extending; its influence is ever present and ever progressive. These bright children of France not only laboured for their country's welfare, but sent out their offshoots into other lands; first of which Italy, through a political marriage, was brightened by the presence of one whose mind was filled with Protestant doctrines by Marguerite of Valois, the subject, of the present sketch. Ren6e was the daughter of Louis XII. of France and his queen, the beautiful Anne of Bretagne. She was born in 1510, just when the minds of men were fully prepared to seize the golden fruit offered by the Reformation. From her birth upwards to womanhood, Renee was the object of careful training; her tutors laboured to render her mind as broad and intellectual as the limits of their knowledge allowed, and not only did she acquire those powers which an intellectual training imparts, but she also gathered up the adornments of an accomplished elegance that made her one of the brightest ornaments of her day. When Renee was three years old she lost her mother, and two years later her...
